Camping

While we encourage all campers to use the range of camping grounds and accommodationthe region has to offer, we understand some people prefer the flexibility of freedom camping (camping on public land).

What you need to know

Self-contained freedom campingOur Freedom Camping Bylaw 2017 allows self-contained freedom campers to stay a maximum of three nights in any 30-day period at any single location, excluding the following areas where freedom camping is banned:

Back Beach bottom car park – at all times.

Oakura beachfront – at all times.

Fitzroy Beach car park – at all times.

East End Beach car park – at all times.

Kawaroa Park – at all times.

Waiwhakaiho River Mouth – at all times.

Non-self-contained freedom campingTents and other temporary structures are banned from freedom camping in New Plymouth District.

People freedom camping in non-self-contained vehicles can stay for a maximum of one night in a 30-day period at any of the locations listed below, and must freedom camp in the marked spaces.

Lake Rotomanu, New Plymouth – four marked spaces for freedom camping.

Battiscombe Terrace, Waitara – six marked spaces for freedom camping.

Corbett Park, Oakura – five marked spaces for freedom camping.

Freedom camping tips

We ask you to:

Park in parking areas.

Dispose of all waste and rubbish appropriately.

Be considerate of other users of the area, and your effect on them and the environment around you.

You may be asked to move by an enforcement officer if:

You are not parked legally.

You are preventing others from undertaking legitimate activities in the area.

You have stayed more than three nights (self-contained) or a single night (non-self-contained) in the same public place.

You light any fires.

You are not complying with the noise requirements as set out in the operative District Plan.

Camping would create a health hazard.

The public place is required for another purpose.

Camping would obstruct pedestrian or vehicle traffic.

The ground conditions are unsuitable for camping or camping will damage the area.

Camping is not allowed at that site.

Freedom campers who do not comply with the Freedom Camping Bylaw will be liable to a $200 fine.

Where to dispose of toilet and grey waterWaste from campervans can be disposed of free of charge at: